Trauma Affect Regulation Therapy (TART)
In our Trauma Therapy Blog Series, we explore the most effective treatments available today. First up is Trauma Affect Regulation Therapy (TART), an approach that focuses on helping individuals manage and respond to emotions triggered by past trauma. Understanding how to regulate emotions is key for trauma survivors, as every traumatic experience is unique. A skilled trauma therapist can guide patients through this process, ensuring the therapy is personalized and effective.
Understanding Affect vs. Emotional Regulation
Affect refers to an individual?s emotional state at any given moment, while emotional regulation is
about connecting physical sensations with emotions and deciding how to express them appropriately. This difference is crucial in Trauma Affect Regulation Therapy. Affect regulation takes it further by linking emotions to specific thoughts or memories and determining the most suitable behavioral response.
Teaching clients how to name their emotions is the critical first step in TART. By being mindful of their thoughts, sensations, and emotions in any given moment, clients can better understand how these emotions manifest in their bodies and identify them accurately.
Phase 1: Cognitive Reappraisal
The first phase of Trauma Affect Regulation Therapy is Cognitive Reappraisal, which involves identifying emotions tied to traumatic events and learning to view these experiences from an
objective, third-party perspective. This skill helps clients reframe trauma and often takes time to
develop. Cognitive reappraisal typically spans 6 to 12 sessions, during which clients gradually build
trust with their therapist and develop the ability to step back from triggering memories.
Phase 2: Emotion Identification and Regulation
Emotion Identification and Regulation is the second phase of TART, where clients learn to “name” their emotions and connect them to physical sensations in the body. For trauma survivors, understanding and accepting their emotions without judgment is challenging, but it?s essential for healing. The goal is to foster a sense of emotional awareness, which reduces the unpredictability
and intensity of their responses.
Phase 3: Titration
In the Titration phase, clients work on slowing down their reaction times to trauma triggers. This
phase teaches survivors how to manage their thought processes more effectively, reducing the intensity of their emotional responses. Techniques like mindful breathing, Eye Movement Integration (EMI), and creative outlets such as journaling or art are introduced to help clients feel more in
control.
Phase 4: Suppression
The final phase, Suppression, is about using conscious strategies to manage emotions in specific situations, such as work or when around difficult people. Although suppression is a short-term solution, grounding techniques can be powerful tools in preventing emotional overwhelm. Visualization exercises, personal mantras, and creating a safe space can help trauma survivors regain composure and focus on the present moment.
